Electronicless accessory recognition using dielectric properties

Abstract

A system including a device including a processor and an electrode configured to sense a dielectric profile, and at least one accessory having a dielectric profile, where the processor is configured to receive the sensed dielectric profile from the electrode, compare the sensed dielectric profile with a profile database, where the profile database includes a plurality of dielectric profiles, and determine an identity of the accessory based on the sensed dielectric profile. Further, a method of determining an identity of an accessory, including receiving a sensed dielectric profile from the accessory with an electrode located on a device, comparing the sensed dielectric profile with a profile database, wherein the profile database includes a plurality of dielectric profiles, and determining an identity of the accessory based on the sensed dielectric profile.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A system comprising:
 a device including a processor and an electrode configured to sense a dielectric profile by measuring a capacitance; and   at least one accessory having the dielectric profile determined in part by a capsule containing a cosmetic formula,   wherein the processor is configured to:
 receive the sensed dielectric profile from the electrode; 
 compare the sensed dielectric profile with a profile database, wherein the profile database includes a plurality of dielectric profiles; 
 determine an identity of the at least one accessory based on the sensed dielectric profile; 
 determine a fill level of the formula capsule; and 
 issue an alert based on the fill level of the formula capsule. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one accessory includes a housing that further determines the dielectric profile. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one accessory includes an electrical layer that further determines the dielectric profile. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the electrical layer is a metallization layer. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one accessory includes a dielectric layer that further determines the dielectric profile. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the dielectric layer is a plastic layer. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one accessory includes a metal paint layer that further determines the dielectric profile. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
 when the dielectric profile does not match any dielectric profile of the plurality of dielectric profiles in the profile database,   store the dielectric profile as a new dielectric profile.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the electrode is configured to sense the dielectric profile when the accessory is in contact with the device. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the electrode is configured to sense the dielectric profile when the accessory is within a predetermined radius of the electrode. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the dielectric profile is further based on a size of the accessory, a shape of the accessory, a material of the accessory, a material of an electrical layer or a dielectric layer, a thickness of an electrical layer or a dielectric layer, a thickness of a paint layer of the accessory, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the dielectric layer, electrical layer, and/or metallic paint layer is on a portion of the accessory. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the dielectric layer, electrical layer, and/or metallic paint layer covers the entire accessory. 
     
     
         14 . A method of determining an identity of an accessory, comprising:
 coupling a capsule to the accessory before measuring the dielectric profile;   receiving a sensed dielectric profile from the accessory with an electrode located on a device, wherein the dielectric profile is based on a cosmetic formula contained in the capsule;   comparing the sensed dielectric profile with a profile database, wherein the profile database includes a plurality of dielectric profiles;   determining an identity of the accessory based on the sensed dielectric profile;   determining a fill level of the capsule based on the sensed dielectric profile; and   issuing an alert based on the fill level of the capsule.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 when the dielectric profile does not match a dielectric profile of the plurality of dielectric profiles in the profile database,   storing the dielectric profile as a new dielectric profile.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the dielectric profile is based on a formula contained in a capsule, and   the method further comprises coupling the capsule to the accessory before measuring the dielectric profile.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the profile database includes at least:
 a formula dielectric profile of the accessory, wherein the formula dielectric profile is when the capsule contains the formula; and 
 an empty dielectric profile of the accessory, wherein the empty dielectric profile is when the capsule is empty, 
   wherein the method further comprises:
 when the dielectric profile matches the full dielectric profile, identifying that the capsule contains the formula; and 
 when the dielectric profile matches the empty dielectric profile, identifying that the capsule does not contain formula. 
   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the method further includes placing the accessory in a predetermined radius of the device before sensing the dielectric profile. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the method further includes contacting the accessory with the device before sensing the dielectric profile.